THE STAR Sunday 8 December 2013

StarSpecial MOTORING

Year-end auto industry review

Exclusive 8-page Proton special >7-14
Driving the French Revolution forward > 4 New models spark Volvo revival > 6

2 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

ITH this year almost drawing to a close, the focus will be on the total sales tally for the year. According to forecasts by the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA), new vehicle registration is expected to break the previous record of 640,000 units. The nal sales tally will only be tabulated at the end of January, and already market players are plotting the chart for the next year. Despite MAAs positive expectations for this years results, certain quarters have pointed out that the past few months have produced a number of speed bumps that might derail the associations initial projection, which were announced in July this year. For almost the entire month of November, car companies complained about glitches at the Road Transport Departments (JPJ) new MySikap online vehicle registration, which has caused signicant delays to their business dealings. Usually, it would take a dealer about one or two days to register a new vehicle, but recent hitches in the system has led to many backlogs, stretching the time required to about a week. Although the situation is gradually improving, Dave Lim Keat Hiin, Deputy President of the Federation of Motor & Credit Company Association of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, says that the system is only expected to normalise by January next year. Meanwhile, the best selling non-national brand Toyota, which accounts for about 15% of all new vehicles sold, has experienced a slow year. In October, UMW Toyota announced that it is only expecting to sell 90,000 vehicles by the end of the year. The target is signicantly lower than the companys recordbreaking performance in 2012, which saw 105,100 vehicles sold (excluding Lexus). Company president Datuk Ismet Suki attributed the lower target to the phasing out of the previous generation of the Toyota Vios, the companys top selling model. The company had to sacrice nearly two months worth of production for the Vios, as it retooled its assembly plant to cater to the new third generation model. However, run-out sales promotion for its Corolla Altis model has been better than expected, resulting in a dearth of models between now and the all-new Corolla Altis model, to be launched in January. On the nancing front, several banks, especially the more prudent ones, are starting to tighten up on car loans. Although there have been no changes to Bank Negaras Responding Financing Guidelines limit of a nine-year tenure period

New vehicles sales are projected to hit a new record of 640,000 units this year.

Market players optimistic about 2014

with 90% margin, several banks are adopting a cautious approach going into the new year and are vetting borrowers under their own stricter internal guidelines. Going into next year, macroeconomic indicators are pointing towards a mildly strong year ahead. The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) is forecasting a GDP growth of between 5 and 5.5% for next year, slightly higher than Bank Negaras forecast of 4.5 to 5% for last year. While these indicators seem healthy, MIER has cautioned against weakening private domestic spending, which is more relevant to discretionary spending like new vehicle purchases. The result of MIERs third quarter 2013 Consumer Sentiments Survey has shown a Consumer Sentiments Index decline of 7.7 points quarter-on-quarter, to settle a lower benchmark of 102.0 points, the lowest since the rst quarter of 2009. In the past, new vehicle sales in Malaysia have shown great resilience against a background of dicult economic conditions. Between 2010 and 2012, the Malaysian car market had set new sales records twice. In 2010, total industry volume smashed through the 600,000 units per year barrier to register 605,156 vehicles. Year 2012 raised the bar even further by registering 627,753 vehicles. Much of this is attributed to easy availability of credit, which fuelled the countrys seemingly insatiable appetite for new cars. For better or for worse, Malaysias practise of offering an unusually long maximum loan tenure period of nine years at low interest rates of between 2.5 and 3.5% is an anomaly when compared with other countries. The subject of high car prices and the high dependence of private cars among Malaysians only serves to intensify scrutiny on the subject. Still, Bank Negara is not expected to change its overnight policy rate (OPR) of 3%. While the move is in line with the need to support growth of the economy, concrete measures for short-term stabilisation are urgently required, as the depreciating ringgit and weakening terms of trade affect

The fourth generation Honda City is set to be next years highlight. domestic consumer prices and ination, says a source from MIER, in relation to Bank Negaras policy of maintaining the at OPR for so long despite healthy growth. There could also be an intensifying struggle between Toyota and Honda in the coming year. Of late, several Toyota models have come under intense competition and the brand risks losing market share, especially in the passenger car segment (Honda does not compete in the commercial vehicles segment). Going into the new year, Honda is widely expected to shock the market with an offensive led by a series of competitively priced products. The upcoming all-new fourth generation Honda City, which was recently previewed in India, is promising segment-leading cabin space and fuel economy, wrapped in a package that is the best looking in its class. Expected specications include legroom that matches vehicles positioned two classes higher, touch-panel automatic air-conditioning with rear airconditioning blower, eight-speaker audio system, plus an economical hybrid variant. Other new models include a new hybrid variant of the Honda Accord, a very forward-looking third-generation Honda Jazz and a compact crossover derivative model called the Vezel. An entry-level, seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle called the Mobilio may also be introduced. The Mobilio is aimed at competing with the Nissan Grand Livina and Toyota Avanza. Judging by the trend established by recent Honda models, industry players are bracing themselves for a price war with Hondas upcoming offerings. In March this year, Honda Malaysia rued some feathers when it introduced the fourth generation Honda CR-V at a lower price than the outgoing model RM1,180 less to be specic. It has always been a norm for car companies to marginally bump up prices of every successive new model, justifying that new models cost more to develop, because it is a better product and comes with more features. However, in July, Honda Malaysia dropped a bombshell in the form of a locally assembled Honda Jazz and shocked the industry by pricing it at RM74,800, with a decent list of features to boot. Finally in September, Honda wrapped up its new models with a ninth generation Honda Accord that starts RM3,000 below the previous entry price. And this is despite offering a far more comfortable ride and much more features than the preceding model. There is little reason to believe that the pace of price for upcoming Honda models will taper off next year. Currently, all of Hondas models that were launched recently including the Civic, CR-V, Jazz and Accord, are best sellers in their respective segments.

Honda Mobilio may spring a surprise in the MPV segment.

Sunday 8 December 2013

StarSpecial 3

4 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

Driving the French Revolution forward

I
T has been a busy and eventful year for Naza Group subsidiary Nasim Sdn Bhd. Not only has the company launched ve new exciting Peugeot models the 308 GRIFFE, 208, 208 GTi, RCZ facelift, and 408 GRIFFE, it has also increased its nationwide dealership network to 30 and launched the Peugeot Lounge at the Subang Skypark airport, the rst of its kind in the world. With an ambitious sales target of 7,000 units by the end of this year, Nasim admits that it has hit some obstacles in achieving its target due to shortages of certain models such as the 208. That being said, Nasim adds that the success of the 208 in Malaysia has exceeded all expectations, and its worldwide popularity has contributed to the limited supply of units it can get. As of October, total registration for Nasim is 5,500 units. Nasim remains bullish on prospects for next year, aiming for a slightly higher sales gure of 7,500 units and expects the increase of European car sales trend to continue. However, it believes that one of its key challenges is to change the perception of Malaysians towards European makes, especially the publics perception that European models are expensive, consume more fuel, and have no resale value as compared with the Japanese makes when in reality this is not so. The company will also continue its strategy of expanding its service and sales network, with plans for 10 new outlets in selective areas, which have sales potential, as well as carry out branding and promotional activities to increase the brands

Peugeot is offering the Perfect Gift This Festive Season

l With fantastic savings on the Peugeot 408 and the Peugeot 508 Turbo S lThe 408 (2.0) is now priced at only RM 95,000 (without insurance) l The 508 Turbo S can be driven home for only RM145,000 (without insurance) l Due to popular demand, this promo has now been extended till Dec 31, 2013. l Valid from now until Dec 31, 2013. l Special oers and fantastic savings are also extended to the rest of our range during this period only. More details at our showrooms.

Citron DS5. presence in the market. For now, the only new Peugeot model in the pipeline for a Malaysian launch is the new 2008 Urban SUV. Based on the 208, the 2008 was recently previewed at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show and received favourable responses from the public. Even so, Nasim believes that the largest sales contributor next year will be the 208 compact cars and the 408 family cars, both among the largest segments in the Malaysian automotive sector. Besides Peugeot, the Naza Group also took on the distributorship for Citron in Malaysia in January this year, through its new subsidiary, Naza Euro Motors Sdn Bhd. The acquisition of the Citron franchise is part of the

Peugeot 208. PSA-Peugeot Citron Groups restructuring of its overseas distribution network by consolidating distributors of both Peugeot and Citron into a single company. Naza Euro Motors launched the DS4 and DS5 models in February and currently operates six outlets, three of which are 3S centres strategically located in the central, northern and southern regions

across Peninsular Malaysia. Naza Euro Motors targets to sell more than 170 units by the end of this year. Considering that the companys two new models are from Citrons premium DS-line range, Naza Euro Motors plans to position Citron as a premium brand. Next year will see Naza Euro Motors creating brand awareness for Citron. The model range will also be expanded with the addition of the DS3 three-door compact car early in the year to complete the DS-line offerings in Malaysia, followed by the introduction of the Grand C4 Picasso MPV later in the second half of the year. The DS3 is aimed at a younger audience, whereas the featurerich Grand C4 Picasso will be positioned as a premium executive MPV. Considering Nasims track record in raising the Peugeot brand to prominence in Malaysia, the future of the Citron brand also looks to be in good hands with Naza Euro Motors.

Well-prepared for market liberalisation

COME Dec 31, 2015, Malaysia will join the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The trade bloc aims to create a single market and production base to boost ASEANs economic competitiveness. Compared to the existing Asean Free Trade Area, AEC is a more broad-based exercise to enhance the regions competitiveness by enforcing a strong competition policy, developing infrastructure, strengthening the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), ecosystem and realigning taxation policies. The move is important to safeguard the future competitiveness of the region, especially in the face of rapidly growing economies like India and China. While AEC offers a much wider market for Malaysian producers, it also exposes local companies to greater foreign competition. Perodua is keenly aware that its days of surviving by tapping into the domestic market alone are fast coming to an end. Managing director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh has long warned against complacency and the urgent task ahead. Last year, Aminar said that in preparation for liberalisation post 2016, Perodua has formulated plans to embark on a structural transformation across its group. We need to kick-start immediately. If we dont do anything, our sales will be severely hit, continued Aminar, who once served as executive director at UMW Toyota. Central to Peroduas ve-year roadmap plan is a RM790mil manufacturing plant capable of outputting 100,000 units a year, which will be operational by the second half of next year. The new plant will be Peroduas second, and will be located next to its current plant in Rawang, Selangor. It will be the main pillar supporting Peroduas export expansion ambitions. The plant will be modelled after technical partner Daihatsu Motor Companys Nakatsu Plant No 2 in Kyushu, Japan and it is designed to be a world-class manufacturing plant one of the most advanced in region. Apart from several adaptations to meet local requirements, it will be almost identical to Plant No 2, which has been in operation since December 2007. Built under the concept of simple, slim and compact, the 230,000 units per annum plant currently produces the Daihatsu Mira model for the Japanese market. Upcoming models expected from Perodua between next year and 2015 are a new generation of Perodua Vivas and an all-new compact sedan model. At the recently concluded Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2013, Perodua gave a sneak peek into what to expect from the next generation Perodua Viva, with a mock interior display of the Global Model A-segment Concept. The Buddyz Concept is also a preview of Peroduas upcoming sedan.

The Buddyz concept. As Daihatsu does not have any sedan model in its current line-up, this sedan will likely be developed from the ground up. Few details are known about the upcoming sedan, but sources at Perodua say that it will have a boot space that is large enough to match the Nissan Almera, and at the same time, deliver good fuel economy from a 1.3L or a 1.5L aluminium engine. The new sedan will no doubt be the one of the major model introductions to look out for next year.

StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

MOTORING 5

KIA fuelled by optimism for coming year

N
aza Kia Malaysia is expecting to nish off this year recording 5% less sales than it did in the previous year. According to Naza Kia Malaysias chief operating ocer, Datuk Syed Haz Syed Abu Bakar, part of this decline in sales is also down to the issue of supply, which has limited sales and deliveries of new models as well. In the last two years, HyundaiKias global sales have gone up by nearly 50%, raising a big challenge concerning supply as the companys production right now cant meet global demands, explains Syed Haz. That being said, as at the month of October, Naza-Kia Malaysia recorded a total sales gure of 8,000 units so far for this year. Despite the challenges, Syed Haz is optimistic about next years prospects. Next year, we are condent that we can achieve 20 to 30% higher sales. The Kia brand has been rebranded to be stronger in Malaysia with a top-down strategy where we started with the D-segment Optima, and have now worked our way down to the launch of the new A-segment Picanto, he says. With the launch of the Picanto, Syed Haz says that the company has refreshed its entire Naza-Kia passenger car model range and is in good stead for the coming year, with the new Cerato expected to account for nearly half of NazaKias sales next year. Even so, Syed Haz believes that the total industry volume will be maintained around this years gure of 640,000 vehicles, as he feels the Malaysian car market is already saturated with a lot more customers that are replacement car buyers rather than new car buyers. Malaysias car market is steadily becoming a buyers market. You will soon see car companies launching more and more variants and expanding their model line-ups next year, thus widening customer choices in the market, he continues. The new Cerato is expected to account for nearly half of Naza-Kias sales next year. One area that we will be exploring next year will be the introduction of an MPV model. Right now that is the only model that is lacking in our refreshed range of passenger cars. To spur company growth next year, Naza-Kia will also be focusing on expanding their digital marketing to more online platforms as well as carrying out more experiential marketing campaigns. These campaigns will involve hosting more roadshows at shopping centres around the country, including Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. As part of its experiential marketing efforts, Naza-Kia opened the rst test drive centre in Malaysia, located in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, where customers can book a test drive online and go there to test drive a Kia from the centre. Naza-Kia has plans to open more of such test drive centres in Alor Star and Johor Baru over the coming year. On top of that, Naza-Kia will also be continuing its sports marketing by leveraging on Hyundai-Kias sponsorship of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Naza-Kia will be organising YouTube contests, various competitions, and more customer engagement campaigns in conjunction with the World Cup. On the after-sales front, NazaKia has been bucking the trend by downsizing its showroom and service centre count in Malaysia over the last three years. We have reduced our showroom count from almost 80 to 51, and cut our service centres from 100 to 58 today. The idea is to build on quality rather than quantity, explains Syed Haz. He adds that Naza-Kia is now focusing on upgrading its existing outlets to adopt Kias new corporate identity, as well as relocate some to more prominent locations to get more exposure. Currently 55% of its 51 showrooms have already been upgraded to 3S centres, with plans to open three more agship Red Cube 4S centres over the coming year. This brings the total Red Cube outlet count in Malaysia to six.

6 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

New models spark Volvo revival

S a brand, Volvo has seen better days. In the early days of the Malaysian automotive industry, it was the top-selling premium brand, outselling BMW and Mercedes-Benz by a hefty margin. While other European models were known for quirky temperaments and required a lot of mechanical attention to keep them running, older Malaysians will remember Volvo for its reliability and solidity, earning it the moniker the Swedish tank. Indeed until today, you can still see early generation Volvo Amazons (120-series) in many small towns, still trusted by their somewhat elderly but loyal owners. Volvo was also the rst company to support Malaysias push for industrialisation. In 1967, Federal Auto, together with Volvo, jointly built the Swedish Motor Assembly (SMA) plant in Shah Alam the rst and oldest car plant in the country. It should also be noted that apart from Sweden, Belgium and China, Malaysia is the only other country where Volvo has an assembly plant. Today, the Malaysian-made Volvo V40, V60, S60, S80 XC60 and XC90 are exported to Thailand and Indonesia. Although the brand has had a long and respected history on our shores, a series of unfortunate events in the 1990s caused the brand to lose much ground to German and Japanese marques. Its lustre waned as a result, and its presence became less and less inuential among the younger generation of car buyers. But that is the past and Volvo is now back in form. At the helm of its reinvigoration is managing director Keith Schafer, who is the right man for the job because of his long history of working in Malaysia. Between 2005 and 2009, Schafer served as regional vice president before temporarily moving to a new post in Russia.

The V40 is at the heart of the brands revival, appealing to a new breed of buyers. Over the last 12 months, our main achievement was the successful launch of the V40 and V40 Cross-Country model, which have been well received by the Malaysian public. This has gone some way towards our key challenge of creating awareness for Volvo in a competitive market, Schaefer says. He adds that Volvo products have always had very strong appeal, but the challenge is getting people inside the car. We have found that when people actually drive a Volvo, they seldom want to leave, however, the competitiveness in market means that we are tasked with nding new and innovative ways to market our cars. Schafer was especially proud of the V40, which is being hailed as Volvos most successful car to date. The V40 was recently awarded the 2014 Import Car of the Year by the Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference of Japan (RCJ). The V40 was also responsible for lifting Volvo Japans sales by 25%. Last year, the V40 scored 15.7 over 16 points in a crash test by Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), the highest ever recorded by Euro NCAP, making it the worlds safest car. We are pursuing a goal to provide Malaysians with affordable luxury, through our automobiles. For example, for the Volvo V40, we looked at the local market and designed the features and options that would be of greatest use to Malaysians while still launching at a price point that would be affordable for most. Bear in mind that this is technologically, the safest car ever tested by Euro NCAP, says Schaefer. Last year, the SMA plant was upgraded with a laser body-welding facility, allowing vehicle body shells to be welded here. In the past, all the body shells were imported from Sweden. SMA is the rst car plant in the country to adopt laser welding. The reason for this is simply that the V40 had to be built according to a higher standard of quality and all V40 bodies required laser welding. This also explains why the roof structure of every V40 is seamless and there are no conventional rubber strips on the sides running across the entire length of the roof. Schaefer says that Volvo will be launching a new XC60 next year, which it hopes will have a similar impact with the buying public.

Mazda back on the rise

ONLY a few years ago, Mazda seemed to be facing an uncertain future when American giant Ford relinquished its control over the Japanese car maker due to the 2008 world nancial crisis. But, as it turned out, Mazdas subsequent gamble of investing in new fuel-ecient technologies has paid off well for the company. Recently, Mazda announced positive results for the rst-half of this year with the company raking in a healthy operating prot of 74bil (RM2.3bil) and achieving a substantial revenue growth to 1,254bil, with a global sales volume forecast of 1.335 million units for the scal year ending March 2014. News from across the globe has been largely positive, especially in Malaysia where the brand has experienced its highest ever sales so far. Under the leadership of Datuk Ben Yeoh, executive director of Bermaz Motor, the sole distributor of Mazda cars in Malaysia, the Mazda brand is expected to experience a strong resurgence in the country over the coming months. The biggest highlight of the year for Mazda is the formation of Mazda Malaysia, a joint venture company with the Mazda Corporation, to undertake manufacturing activities on our shores. The local assembly of the CX-5 has proven to be a success, with more than two-thirds of the units produced in Malaysia now being exported to Thailand this includes the 2.2L diesel variants, 2.5L petrol variants as well as the 2L petrol variant. The success of the local assembly operations will lead to more completely knock-down (CKD) programmes being planned for both the Malaysian and Thai markets, says Yeoh. On the local front, Bermaz Motor has announced that it achieved its goal of selling 8,000 cars this year in October, and the company is bullish about next years prospects with the introduction of the new Mazda 3 C-segment sedan. Yeoh believes that Mazdas current and upcoming product line-up is in the right stead to benet from the policies that will be laid out in the upcoming National Automotive Policy (NAP),

The new Mazda 3. which industry rumours suggest will be focused on energy-ecient vehicles (EEVs). With the introduction of the new NAP, we believe there will be changes in certain legislation and tariff composition to encourage environmentally friendly vehicles and EEVs. By next year, all Mazda products will have SKYACTIV technologies and to meet the governments objectives for local industrial activities, Mazda Malaysia will embark on a few more CKD programmes, he says. Minister of International Trade and Industry, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed recently said that the new NAP will be announced on Jan 15. Besides adding new models to their line-up, Bermaz Motor will also be continuing their efforts in enhancing their ownership programmes by improving their facilities and expanding their geographical coverage in Malaysia.

StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

MOTORING 7

8 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

Suprima S able to withstand even the toughest challenges

D
URING its developmental phase, the Proton Suprima S underwent a series of rigorous tests. The car was taken to Sweden to undergo a cold test to ensure that could still perform in harsh -40C weather. Protons Homologation and Testing team also took the car to the deserts of Oman to test the car in extreme conditions, where the heat can rise to a scorching a 40C to 60C. The Suprima S also underwent further testing at the Australian Automotive Reserach Centre in Victoria, Australia. There, the Suprima S was awarded the maximum ve-star safety rating in the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP), with the implementation of the Hot Press Forming (HPF) technology in its body being one of the contributing factors. The HPF process begins when the sheet metal is heated to around 900C for approximately ve minutes. The sheet metal is then pressed and quenched simultaneously at a temperature of at least 30C. The change in the metal structure of the HPF steel is affected by the heat transformation throughout the HPF process. There are three main factors that are taken into account and study before the HPF process is implemented and utilised: l Weldability The weldability test result has shown that the HPF parts are possible to be welded in the normal production conditions, with up to three layers of welding. l Crashworthiness to meet EuroNCAP 5 Stars safety requirements l BIW Lightweight Target to conform to acceptable fuelconsumption levels. A study was conducted where four types of materials have been benchmarked for usage to meet the requirement of Euro-NCAP 5 Stars.

User-friendly instrument cluster.

Stylish interior.

Ample luggage space.

Sleek design.

Foglamp.

LED rear light.

Elegant alloy rims.

Sunday 8 December 2013

StarSpecial 9

10 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

10 THINGS YOU DID NOT KNOW ABOUT LOTUS
l The first Lotus was built in 1948 and since then, just more than 90,000 cars have been built, with 40,000 built in the last 18 years. l Lotus is unique in its motorsports successes. No other car marque has had so much global success as Lotus, winning Formula One World Championships,The World Rally Championship, Le Mans (in class), European Touring Cars, The Indy-500 and numerous endurance and GT racing championships. l Lotus is acknowledged as having revolutionised Formula One over the last 50 years, pioneering most of the innovations used in a current F1 car including carbon fibre, sequential transmission, strong and safe structural monocoque, wedge-shape design, side-mounted radiators, using the engine as a stressed member becoming part of the chassis, multi-element rear wings and many more. l Lotus was first to reach 50 grand prix wins, reaching the tally before Ferrari who started in Formula One, 10 years before. Lotus was the first in Formula One to design and test a carbon fibre Formula One car in 1981. l Some of the greatest racing drivers of all time have driven for Lotus including Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Stirling Moss, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna and Kimi Raikkonen. l Lotus is famous world over for its sports cars but the top secret engineering consultancy side of the company, Lotus Engineering, has worked for almost every other car company in the world under the strictest confidentiality. l The Lotus Elise was the first production car in the world to have a bonded and extruded aluminium chassis and a composite front crash structure. This technology is commonplace in super cars today. l The paint used on a Lotus sports car is environmentally sound, water-based and has self-healing-scratch properties. l Lotus cars are tested and developed in some of the harshest environments in the world, from the high altitude of the European Alps, to the sub-zero Arctic of Sweden to the scorching heat of Australia, Death Valley (US) and the Middle East.

Father and daughter racers Nattavude (middle) and Tanchanok (right) on the podium.

HAI racer Nattavude Charoensukhawatana celebrated his win of the recently concluded Lotus Greater China Race, a Lotus support race for the 60th Anniversary Macau Grand Prix, with his 19-year-old daughter, Tanchanok Charoensukhawatana who nished third. Nattavude nished 1.5 seconds ahead of rival Ho Hon Keong of Macau to clinch his fourth victory in Macau. Ho on the other hand, impressed spectators with his performance, which saw him surge from his starting position of 24th from the back of the grid to clinch a second place nish. Tanchanok, who started in second place on the grid led pole position sitter Nattavude from early on. However, a rst turn crash involving Alain Li, Kevin Chen, and James Tang saw the deployment of the safety car. The disruption of the safety car allowed Nattavude to take the lead from Tanchanok, with Wei Chao Yin and Vincent Chao also challenging for a top spot. Tanchanoks position was later challenged by 77-year-old 1964 Macau Grand Prix winner Albert Poon who overtook Tanchanok, but unfortunately crashed out of the race, resulting in Tanchanok losing

Father and daughter blaze the tracks in Macau

HOW LOTUS REVOLUTIONISED FORMULA ONE

l No other car company has influenced motorsports technology the way LOTUS has. First to use aerofoil wings - Lotus Type 49 (1968)
and third place respectively. This weekends racing was truly excellent. We are thrilled that so many Lotus racers took part in what marks the beginning of the Lotus Cup Asia series, said Aslam Farikullah, Group Lotus Chief Operating Ocer. Lotus Cup continues to grow around the globe, and a newly launched Lotus Cup Asia series announced in Singapore by Group Lotus chairman, Datuk Mohd Khamil Jamil, is integral to that. The Lotus Greater China Race is a one-make series. It is where all competitors will compete on equal terms in lightweight Lotus Elise Club Racer cars. The series will run throughout China in the coming year. It is open to competitors of all ages from across the Asian region and will be run by Singaporean motoring giant Richburg Motors.

Gruelling race in Macau recently. places, allowing Ho and Wei to move into second and third place. Despite her diculties, Tanchanok was able to regain her composure and reclaim the third spot in the pecking order and nished 6.4 seconds behind her father. Wei, Sin, and Chao in the meantime completed the top six results. Everyone knows that Macau is a very challenging circuit. I taught my daughter to be careful. In these cars you have to be quite gentle. She learnt well in local races and she has now surprised me, said Nattavude, whose family was one of four families competing in the race. This is my rst time in Macau. I am very excited to be here and it is a good experience for me. I am very surprised to be on the podium. My father is a good teacher, said Tanchanok. The rst place trophy was presented by the vice president for advertising and brand management for Sands China, with Lotus directors Habibul Rahman Kadir Shar and Datuk Lukman Ibrahim presenting the trophies for second

l First to use a multi-element rear wing Lotus Type 72 (1970) l First to use a semi-monocoque chassis Lotus Type 25 (1962) l First to successfully use the engine as a structural member -Lotus Type 43 (1966) First to use a fully stressed monocoque Lotus Type 38 (1965) l First to adopt an extreme reclined driving position - Lotus Type 21 (1961) l First to use side mounted radiators -Lotus Type 72 (1970) l First to use aerodynamic bargeboards Lotus Type 97T (1985) l First to design a carbon fibre monocoque - Lotus Type 88 (1981) l First to adopt a sponsors full colour scheme - Lotus Type 49 (1967)

Participants pose for the media.

Sunday 8 December 2013

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12 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

Excellence in motorsports
R
ACE, Rally and Research, also known as R3, is the motorsports arm of the Malaysian National car maker Proton. Over the last decade, Team Proton R3 has participated in racing and rallying events across the world and in some of the toughest conditions. In the local motorsports scene, Proton has dominated circuit racing in recent years, winning three Malaysian Super Series Championships consecutively. It also bagged the Sepang 1000 KM Challenge Trophy in 2012. As a racing brand, Protons made its presence felt internationally when the team won the Asia Pacic Rally Championship in 2011 and took second place in the Super 2000 category of the World Rally Championship. The team also won the Rally of Sweden and the Rally of Finland two of the most iconic events in the world of rallying. The vast experience gained by Proton from competing and winning in the global arena is shared with Proton owners through a range of R3 performance tuning parts and sporty styling accessories. Motorsports participation is a key brand driver for Proton. The tough and fast-paced world of motorsports is an ideal platform to physically demonstrate the performance, strength, durability and technology of its cars. Motorsports has been a key part of the brand since its inception with the company actively participating in circuit racing since 1987. This year, Team Proton R3 participated in both the Malaysian Super Series Championship and the Malaysian Rally Championship. Both events are premiere national motorsports championship events for circuit racing and rallying. Additionally, the team also participated in the prestigious and gruelling Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race.

OTHER PROTON MOTORSPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS

1992 Rally of Thailand 1st Overall 1992 Dubai International Rally 1st Overall 1995 Rallye Ng Philipinas 1st Overall 1996 Rallye Ng Philipinas 1st Overall 1997 Rallye Ng Philipinas 1st Overall 2000 Merdeka Millennium Race 1st Overall, Proton PERT 2001 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion Overall 2002 FIA Production World Champion Proton PERT 2002 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion Overall 2004 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion Overall 2005 Merdeka Millennium Race 1st Overall, Team Proton R3 2006 Merdeka Millennium Race 1st Overall, Team Proton R3 2008 Merdeka Millennium Race 1st Class B, Team Proton R3 2011 Malaysian Super Series Champion MTC category 2011 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion 2WD category 2011 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Champion Overall 2012 Sepang 1000KM Race 1st Overall 2012 Super World Rally Championship 2nd Overall 2012 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship 2nd Overall 2012 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship 2WD category 2012 Malaysian Super Series Championship MTC category 2013 Malaysian Super Series Championship MTC category

modern interpretation of the iconic Satria Gti that was launched in the late 90s. It has a stunning sporty and stylish look in its R3 race-inspired body-kit and rims, CAMPRO CPS engine and Lotus Ride and Handling all elements to give the driver a thrilling driving experience. These same elements also contribute to very high levels of safety, with a strong rigid chassis for improved crash protection. Motorsports achievements: l 2008 Class B Champion Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race. l Three-time Malaysian Super Series Champion - 2011, 2012, 2013 Malaysian Touring Car Class. l Overall Champion, 2012 Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race Malaysian Touring Car Class. l Two-time Asia Pacic Rally Championship 2WD winner

2011, 2012 Group N Satria Neo. l Winner of Rally Malaysia 2013, 2012, 2011, 2WD Category Group N Satria Neo. l 2011 Asia Pacic Rally Overall Champion Satria Neo S2000 rally car. l Second place at the 2012 Super 2000 World Rally Championship Satria Neo S2000 rally car

Proton Prev R3
The Proton Prev R3 race car is the latest competition vehicle built by Team Proton R3. Making its race debut in the grueling Sepang 1000KM Endurance race in December 2012, the Prev completed the race in second place overall behind the Satria Neo R3 Race Car giving Proton a one-two nish in a eld of more than 50 competitors including vehicles from Honda, Suzuki, Toyota and Mazda. The Prev has proven to be an

Proton Satria Neo

The Satria Neo is the backbone of Protons motorsports success. Its Lotus-designed chassis, compact dimensions and handling dynamics have proven to be a winning combination on the road as well as on race tracks and rally circuits across the world. This latest interpretation of a champion, the Satria Neo R3 is the

exceptional race car despite its large size. It has shown amazing stability and speed through the corners and great strength and durability in the harshest of racing conditions.

Motorsports achievements: l Second place overall 201 Sepang 1000KM Endurance Race l Second place Malaysian Super Series 2013 Championship Malaysian Touring Car Class

Drivers speak about their Proton experience

Driving the R3 Proton Preve race car has been great fun for me. Its high speed stability allows me to be competitive even against the smaller and more agile cars on the track.
James Veerapen

Racing has alway been my passion, and winning in my blood. Driving the Satria Neo race car for Team Proton R3 and winning the Malaysian Super Series three years in a row has definitely been the highlight of my career.
Syafiq Ali

After over 20 years of rallying and driving many different types of cars, I am still as excited and motivated today driving my R3-prepared Proton Satria Neo rally car. It never fails to impress me with its agile handling on all types of terrain.
Karamjit Singh

I started rallying in the first generation Proton Satria which was great for a beginner with its fun, easy and forgiving handling. When I first started rallying in the Satria Neo, the same characteristics that I liked about the Satria were still intact except that the limits are now much higher, allowing me to drive even faster!
Kenneth Koh

The Proton vehicle platforms are inherently wellpackaged with a good balance of handling prowess and power train, which translates very well for Team Proton R3s racing application. This has been demonstrated many times with the team achieving multiple race wins and championships.
Tengku Djan

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StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

MOTORING 15

Industry captains hope for more clarity

N
EARLY two years have passed since the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) rst mentioned the introduction of a third National Automotive Policy (NAP), and still we wait with bated breath. Last April, MITI Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said: Weve done our consultations. This time around, it was an extensive one where it included all branches from the car companies, to vendors, banks and the consumers. We will be presenting the papers to the Cabinet soon. At the same time, the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI) has repeatedly mentioned that the third NAP will be brand- and technologyneutral, adding that there will be incentives towards the promotion of energy-ecient vehicles (EEV) that meet a certain level of requirement for fuel economy and exhaust emission. The institute also adds that it recognises many structural issues hampering the industrys progress and that the upcoming NAP, which has been drafted by MAI, aims to address snafus made by the earlier 2006 and 2009 NAPs. Since then, EEV has become an often-repeated buzzword by government ocials and media alike. Ironically, although bureaucrats from all levels of the administration like to talk about EEVs, nobody seems to have a clear grasp of what an EEV actually is. Both MITI and MAI dangled EEV incentives to convince manufacturers to invest in Malaysias automotive sector, but when asked what dened an EEV, MITI or MAI have not managed to offer a clear answer. So far, EEVs have been described in vague terms. To date, neither party has been able to answer the very simple question of what the minimum standard is, or how these numbers will be veried. After several rounds of delay, the latest date announced by MITI for the revelation of the third NAP is Jan 15, 2014. While we keep our ngers crossed that there will be no further delays, several car companies have voiced what they would like on their wish list for NAP 2014. We are looking forward to more clarity on the incentives for EEV. There should be more liberalisation in the auto industry to encourage foreign investment in Malaysia, says Datuk Ben Yeoh, the executive director of Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd, which represents the Mazda brand in the country. Yeoh is an industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience. Starting out on greasy workshop oors as a technical executive for Cycle and Carriage (MercedesBenz) in 1972, Yeoh is known for his hands-on approach and deep understanding of the industry. He was also central to reviving the Mazda brand and built a convincing business case for Mazda Motor Corporation to make Malaysia its export hub for the ASEAN region.

Excise duties for affordable fuel-efficient cars that go 20km per litre or more should be reduced in phases. Mazda currently exports the CX-5 from Malaysia to Thailand. Despite equipping the CX-5 with a full suite of Mazdas proprietary SkyActiv fuel-saving technologies, the locally assembled CX-5 did not receive any special incentives. It should also be highlighted that Mazda assembles a diesel-powered CX-5 variant, with a SkyActiv-D engine that is even more fuel ecient than the petrol variant. Ironically, although this variant is exported from Malaysia, it is not sold here because the Malaysian diesel quality is not high enough for the car to run on. The introduction of Euro 4 grade diesel, considered to be a bare minimum by global standards, has been delayed numerous times. The initial schedule was 2012, but this has since been pushed to 2015. In Europe, manufacturers are getting ready for Euro 6, which will

be enforced in September next year. In the coming years, availability of engines that are compatible with Malaysias existing Euro-2M standard is going to be an issue. Also, more and more new models will be launched with sophisticated engines that require a higher grade of fuel to operate on. Other car makers are forced to put their investment plans on hold simply because many of their planned models cannot be introduced in Malaysia until a higher quality of diesel is introduced. Keith Schafer, managing director of Volvo Car Malaysia says the company has plans to introduce more diesel-powered models, but this is dependent on the introduction of Euro 4 diesel, which the company is eagerly awaiting. Once a better quality fuel is launched, we will be able to expand our engine range considerably, he says. Schafers hopes are shared by his counterpart at BMW Group Malaysia. We hope that Malaysia will adopt the internationally recognised fuel at the Euro 4 standard, which is a cost-effective fuel alternative that also reduces harmful gas emissions to the environment, says company president Dr Gerhard Pils. He adds that Malaysia has a potential to become a regional hub for electric vehicle (EV) production, but persistent measures must be implemented to adopt the latest innovations in green technology. These are measures such as extending incentives for fully imported hybrid vehicles, not limiting the incentives to certain engine sizes and also incentives for clean diesels and electric vehicles. Tax breaks should be created based on emissions and eciency, and not solely on engine size, he says. Pils comments on support for EVs are echoed by Hoffen Teh, vicepresident of Mitsubishi Motors

Malaysia. EVs still present many challenges, especially on the changing infrastructure development front. To further facilitate the popularisation of EVs in Malaysia, we hope that full-duty exemption will continue for all fullimported EVs, for the next ve years perhaps. As for the aforementioned EEVs, Teh echoes Yeohs sentiments. Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia supports the idea of EEV encouragement, but EEV policies need to be more concrete, he says. He adds that EEV criteria should be better dened. For example, affordable A- and B-segment models with a fuel economy of at least 20km per litre should entitled to reduction of excise duties. Teh explains that the government can consider a gradual reduction of excise duties for models that meet such criteria, say from the current 75%, to 70% next year and 65% in 2015. This will further encourage price competitiveness for EEVs in the next few years within the automotive industry of Malaysia, he says. It should be highlighted that it was Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) who made it possible for all car companies to introduce EVs in Malaysia. In the past, denitions used in the Malaysia Road Transport Act did not reect the Road Transport Departments vehicle-type approval process (a compulsory process for all newly introduced models to go through) to register an EV model, as EVs do not have an engine number. There were also other complications with regards to the Customs clearance processes. Working closely with several government agencies, MMM paved the way for EVs, including those made by companies such as Nissan or BMW.

Volvo Car has big plans for Malaysia, but is held back by the lack of suitable grade fuel.

16 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 8 December 2013

The BMW i3 (left) and the BMW i8 Concept Cars.

European cars and the brave new world

market, the expansion of its compact model range has proven to be far more crucial to the threepointed star. Seeing that its premium rivals have gained plenty of ground by offering more affordable and compact models that appeal to a younger demographic, MercedesBenz has begun to focus its attention on expanding its compact model range to make up for lost ground. Derived from the platform that underpins the third-generation A-Class, Mercedes-Benz introduced a new compact sedan model range known as the CLA in January in North America and, more recently, the GLA compact SUV. However, there was one model that was the centre of attention this year the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf hatchback. Having already earned the 2013 World Car of the Year and 2013 European Car of the Year titles, the Golf Mk7 recently became the rst foreign car to win the 2013-2014 Japan Car of the Year award in its 34-year history. The new Mk7 Golf, is the product of the Volkswagen Groups new MQB platform, which was designed to underpin a variety of new small to mid-sized models from the Volkswagen Group. The platform is not only limited to Volkswagen as it also encompasses Audi, Seat, and Skoda, as well as accommodating a variety of drivetrains and fuel systems including an all-electric drivetrain, FlexFuel, compressed natural gas and liqueed petroleum gas. While BMW has been championing the use of carbonbre bodied electric cars, Volkswagen introduced the allelectric e-Golf at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The metal-bodied electric car is said to achieve a range of 190km on a single charge and still offers all the cabin space to sit ve adults comfortably, with room for luggage at the back. While Volkswagen seems to be on a high, things are not as rosy Volkswagen Golf GTI.

NBEKNOWNST to the layperson, car companies take a long time conceiving and giving birth to a car. It is said that by the time a new car is launched, car companies will have already begun work on its replacement. Now we begin to see cars from Europe that were conceived in response to the 2008 spike in fuel prices and the future implementation of carbon emissions taxations, as well as the 2008 world nancial crisis that followed thereafter. Some car companies have adopted a brave strategy of delving into new powertrain technologies and alternative fuels for their upcoming model, BMW being one of them. This year the German premium car maker launched the rst two models of its new BMW i subbrand, the i3 all-electric car and the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Both cars were revolutionary in the adoption of new carbonbre production and construction methods, which was to reduce the price of its construction to make it more affordable to the layperson. The i3 is a four-door, all-electric car that boasts a range of between 130km and160km, or 240km and 300km, with the addition of an optional 647cc two-cylinder rangeextender engine. The use of carbon-bre construction enables the i3 to achieve a kerb weight that is 1,195kg lighter than most conventional petrol-powered compact cars. The i8 sports car uses a 231hp, 1.5L three-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine to drive the rear wheels, while a 131hp electric motor drives the front. According to BMW the i8 is capable of going from 0 to 100kmph in just 4.4 seconds, and yet, it has a rated EU test cycle fuel consumption of only 2.5L/100km. While this year was the year Mercedes-Benz introduced its new agship the S-Class which was designed as a long-wheel base variant to appeal to the Chinese

Mercedes GLA 45 AMG. for its premium brand, Audi as the company seems to be heading towards uncertain waters. Audi reportedly red two research and development heads in the past 16 months and the most recent casualty was Wolfgang Durheimer in June this year. After just nine months on the job, there were speculations about his lack of condence in Audis future all-electric models, which stirred the ire of the parent company Volkswagen Group. Reports are also emerging that Audi is experiencing a brain drain, as many research and development efforts are being relocated back to Volkswagen. With no alternative drivetrains for their model range, industry experts are saying that Audis sales cannot hope to stay in front of Mercedes-Benz if such a trend continues. If there is one brand that clearly looks set to make a comeback next year, it has to be Volvo. After a prolonged period of silence, due in part to the acquisition of the Swedish brand by Chinese car maker Geely Automobile in 2010, Volvo seems to be bringing several new innovations to the table of late. Earlier in June, Volvo began trial runs on the use of a completely autonomous parking system, where the car goes off in search of an empty parking lot and proceeds to park itself without any input from the driver. More recently Volvo announced that it is involved in the research of a new super capacitor technology that is integrated into a carbon bre body shell. Volvo also announced the development of a new 2L fourcylinder twincharged engine capable of producing 306hp and 400Nm of torque, and be the rst engine in its segment to produce 2hp per gram of carbon dioxide. In the coming year, Volvo enthusiasts can expect to see the rst new model from Volvo under the purview of Geely, the yet-tobe-named replacement of the XC90 SUV.

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Brace yourself for 2014 wheels

A
S the market becomes more and more competitive, manufacturers are naturally eager to introduce to our shores more of the latest models being sold elsewhere in the world, and at the same time, carve out new market segments here to gain a competitive edge. These are a selection of some of the most anticipated models that you can expect in your nearest showroom next year.

BMW X5
With seating for seven and a high ground clearance, the BMW X5 is one of the brands most practical models and also the most popular model in BMWs line-up. So when the time came to create the third and latest iteration to the X5 name, BMW did not reinvent the formula. Though it sports the same wheelbase as its predecessor albeit with a slight increment in dimensions and an identicallooking cabin, the new X5 is more ecient than ever before.

BMW X5. new industry byword, and SUVs being the new sales bonanza, manufacturers are rushing to create new compact SUV variants inspired by their compact car range. The latest to follow this trend is Ford and Peugeot, which have both transformed their compact car models the Fiesta and 208 into the Ecosport and 2008 respectively. Besides the underlying compact car platform connection, these upcoming models have more in common as both will utilise the same powertrain that are being used on their hatchback equivalents. The Ecosport will have the same 1.5-litre, four-cylinder Ti-VCT engine, which produces 110hp and 140Nm of torque and is mated with the same six-speed Powershift dualclutch transmission as the Fiesta. The 2008 on the other hand, will adopt the 208s 120hp 1.6-litre, fourcylinder VTi engine and four-speed automatic. Both cars are expected to be priced similarly around the RM100,000 region. seems to be paying off, with praises and commendations being heaped upon its CX-5 and 6 sedan models. If that is anything to go by, Mazdas next models built with its full range of SKYACTIV technologies, the 3 sedan and hatchback, are set to stir up the establishment. In addition to the lightweight construction and fuel-ecient engines, the 3 comes with heads-up display, the i-Stop idling start-stop system and a host of advanced safety features such as autonomous emergency braking and lanedeparture warning.

Citron DS3
Under the stewardship of Naza Euro Motor, the Citron brand has started anew and is expected to introduce the third model to its DS-range of premium cars in Malaysia, the DS3. Aimed squarely at younger buyers, the DS3 is a two-door compact car to rival the likes of the Mini. The cars wide range of customisable colour options for its body and roof colour scheme is one of its main selling points in Europe, but it remains to be seen if such options will be available for DS3 models in Malaysia. It sports a BMW-derived 1.6-litre, four-cylinder VTi engine, which produces 120hp and 160Nm of torque. The same engine is being used on the Peugeot 208 compact car.

Mazda 3.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Some of the features being promised by the new S-Class are active suspension that automatically adjusts itself to the road conditions ahead, and front mounted stereo cameras, which can recognise crossing trac and pedestrians. It is also expected to be equipped with rear-facing sensors and collision safety systems that can anticipate an impending rear-end collision, seats that come with builtin fans to draw in air to enhance cooling, and a headlight cluster that can focus its light to highlight specic hazards ahead for the driver to see. Long held as the gold standard for luxury cars, the S-Class has always been widely regarded as the leader when it comes to car technology and luxury. It seems that the next S-Class will not disappoint the high expectations and demands of the auent when it comes to our shores next year.

Ford Ecosport & Peugeot 2008

With platform sharing the

Mazda 3
Mazdas big gamble on its SKYACTIV range of technologies

Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Toyota Corolla
Ford Ecosport. Nearly ve years old, the Toyota Corolla is due for a replacement, and it could not come at a more opportune time as it is far from being the most popular C-segment sedan in its class. Considering Toyotas recent push to step away from its conservativelooking models (the new Vios, for example), the next Corolla will be trading its forgettable shape for a sharp new exterior. The cabin too is expected to look more sophisticated as well as offer more space. That being said, we can expect Toyota to continue utilising the same drivetrain range for the new model. Peugeot 2008.

Citroen DS3.

Toyota Corolla.

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MOTORING 19

More space and just as economical

W
HEN Mitsubishi introduced its 1.2L Mirage hatchback with a starting price of RM56,980, many Malaysians found it dicult to grasp the concept of having such a tiny engine in a car of this class, which is dominated by 1.3L models. This perception of judging a cars value based on engine capacity has to change. Motorists around the world are now evaluating cars based on performance and power output rather than the size of the engine. Mitsubishis Mirage may be a little pricey for a car of its size but it consumes just 4.7L per 100km, which Mitsubishi attributes to the intelligent use of lightweight but strong high tensile strength steel and energy ecient engine design. Ryujiro Kobashi, Mitsubishi Motors Corporations vice corporate general manager for Asia and Asean says that in Japan and Europe, the Mirage is powered by an even smaller 1.0L engine. Considering the global trend towards down-sized engine while maintaining body size, we are condent that the low fuel consumption 1.2L engine offers sucient performance for our target customers, he says. Nearly every major carmaker now has a small 1.0L, threecylinder engine on offer including Volkswagen, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai-Kia. It should also be noted that the winner of the 2013 International Engine of the Year steering wheel. The range-topper SE model builds on this list to include LED daytime running lights, a sporty bodykit, security window lm, leather seats and a 2-DIN audio head unit with reverse camera. While the Attrage may have a small engine, there is nothing small about its interior dimensions. According to Mitsubishis calculations, the Attrage boasts more combined front and rear legroom than a Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla Altis, and Volkswagen Jetta, with the Nissan Almera being the only one which exceeds its dimensions. The Attrage is no sports car but it drives quite well. Earlier this year, Mitsubishi unveiled a eet of Attrage at Thailands Bonanza circuit to be compared with the Nissan Almera. On the tracks long, fast sweeping bends, the Attrage has controlled amounts of body roll without being too stiff that the wheels hop precariously over any undulations on the track surface. Even with the Attrage tilting away at uncomfortable angles, the tyres do not seem to let up its rm grip. Suce to say, the Nissan could not match the Attrages balance in the ride and handling department. The Attrage may not have attention-grabbing looks, but it may surprise you in more ways than one. Buyers looking for an entry-level, compact sedan should include the model in their consideration list.

From left: Senior executive officer of MMC, Morikazu Chokki and chief executive officer of MMM, Tetsuya Oda. award went to a fuel-sipping 999cc engine. The demand for clean, energyecient engines is increasing because of the high costs of fuel and strict government regulations on vehicular exhaust emissions. In Malaysia, the demand for small, fuel-ecient, down-sized engines has yet to catch on. Part of the reason is because fuel prices in Malaysia are still relatively cheap, even after considering the latest round of subsidy cuts. Putting aside for a moment the debate on the high cost of new cars in Malaysia, the lax standards on fuel quality and exhaust emissions coupled with cheap fuel means that Malaysian consumers have fewer incentives to adopt fuel-ecient technologies. Thailand for example, will be introducing a carbon tax system in 2016. Notwithstanding Malaysias energy policy, car companies believe that the trend towards fuelecient small engines is a certainty. This was probably the motivation behind Mitsubishi Motors Malaysias decision to expand its compactcar range to include the Attrage, a sedan derivative of the Mirage, powered by the same ultra-ecient 1.2L engine. Like the Mirage, the Attrage boasts a claimed best-in-class fuel economy of 21km per litre (New European Driving Cycle). With a starting price of just RM59,212.50 for the base model GL manual transmission model, the Attrage is currently the cheapest non-national sedan you can buy. The higher range GS CVT model is priced at RM67,978.50, while the top-of-the-range Attrage SE costs RM 75,796.50. All prices are on-theroad without insurance. The Attrage does not skimp on features either. Standard features include dual-airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), 15-inch wheels and fog lamps. The higher range GS model adds on Smart Key (keyless entry) and push start button, remote trunk release, digital automatic airconditioning and a leather-wrapped

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